Stags fighting c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have "Stags Fighting" by Samuel Howitt. The etching technique, with all its labor, is quite striking, and the stags appear very dynamic! What can you tell me about this print? Curator: Looking at Howitt’s print, consider the paper itself, the inks, and the press. How were these materials sourced, and by whom? The image romanticizes nature, but the production involved industry and trade. What contradictions do you see? Editor: I hadn't thought about the industry behind it. I guess it's a reminder that even seemingly simple images have a complex material history. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! Considering the labor and resources reveals the complex social and economic context of its creation.